Colorado Bill Requiring Warrant to Search License Plate Tracking Database Advances

Senate Bill 70 prohibits governments from accessing historical location data without a warrant, consent or exigent circumstances.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A Colorado bill that would require police officers to obtain a warrant before searching automated license plate reader databases advanced out of committee Monday on a 5-2 vote, despite fierce opposition from law enforcement agencies across the state. Senate Bill 70, sponsored by Boulder Democratic Sen. Judy Amabile and 15 cosponsors, would prohibit government officials from accessing databases containing historical location information without a warrant, consent or exigent circumstances.

Why it matters

The bill faces intense scrutiny from law enforcement, but is being pushed by privacy advocates concerned with how data is being collected, stored and shared. Supporters argue the technology poses risks to vulnerable populations, such as those seeking reproductive care, while opponents claim it would hamper modern investigations.

The details

All 23 of Colorado's district attorneys, Republican and Democrat, oppose the legislation, according to El Paso and Teller County District Attorney Michael Allen, who warned the bill would allow criminals to "take advantage of modern technology to plan, perpetrate and hide criminal activity." However, supporters of the bill point out that cases can be solved without the technology and cite instances of misuse, such as a Columbine Valley Police officer wrongly accusing a woman of stealing packages after tracking her movements.

  • The bill advanced out of committee on Monday, February 24, 2026.
  • The bill faces additional legislative hurdles before potentially becoming law.

The players

Judy Amabile

A Boulder Democratic state senator and the sponsor of Senate Bill 70.

Michael Allen

The El Paso and Teller County District Attorney, who spoke in opposition to the bill on behalf of Colorado's 23 district attorneys.

Chrisanna Elser

A woman who testified in favor of the bill, citing her experience of being wrongly accused of stealing packages after a Columbine Valley Police officer used license plate reader data to track her movements.

Garrett Langley

The CEO of Flock, a company that provides license plate reader technology to law enforcement agencies.

Katie Wallace

A Boulder Democratic state senator and a member of the committee that advanced the bill.

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What they’re saying

“The effect of this bill will allow criminals to take advantage of modern technology to plan, perpetrate and hide criminal activity, while requiring law enforcement to work in the stone ages.”

— Michael Allen, El Paso and Teller County District Attorney (9news.com)

“He told me you can't get a breath of fresh air in or out of town without us knowing. He also told me that he's tracked me over the last month, 20 times going in and out of that town. He had a summons already prepared for theft before he even spoke to me. I was faced with a dystopian task of proving my innocence against the apparent evidence from the system.”

— Chrisanna Elser (9news.com)

“While I understand it is an extra step, it doesn't feel like it is going to set us back.”

— Judy Amabile, State Senator (9news.com)

What’s next

The bill will now move to the full state Senate for further consideration and potential passage.

The takeaway

This bill highlights the ongoing tension between privacy rights and law enforcement's use of advanced technologies like license plate readers. The outcome of this legislation could set an important precedent for how such data is accessed and used in criminal investigations across Colorado.